Sushi Sakura, one of the few rotating sushi bars in Houston, imports all its seafood weekly from Japan, ensuring you get the freshest, most authentic experience. Owner/chef Eric Zhu pairs fresh fish with indigenous Asian spices and local produce to create rolls, sashimi, noodle dishes, tempura, and teriyaki that make your taste buds sing.

3. Diverse menu.

Skilled sushi chefs always look for new ways to innovate, which results in a menu filled with creative dishes and fan favorites.

Sushi Sakura’s menu features dozens of rolls that range from simple staples to works of art. Choose from popular California rolls, spicy and yellowtail tuna, and edgier fare such as spider rolls and eel.

Sushi Sakura also offers a select menu of signature rolls. Super Crab features sweet kani (imitation crab) and cucumber, topped with spicy kani, avocado, and eel sauce. The Rock N Roll features spicy kani and avocado inside and avocado, kani, and spicy mayo outside. The Godzilla Roll lives up to its name with its mix of spicy tuna, eel, and avocado.

To make ordering easy for sushi novices, the menu includes pictures.

3. Efficient design.

When you only have an hour or less for lunch, you need a sushi bar with efficient service from start to finish.

Sushi Sakura recently invested in tablet PCs for both its Houston and its new Katy locations. Instead of waiting for a server, simply enter your order on the screen. You’ll have your lunch pronto.

If you choose the moving sushi bar, the process is low-tech, but simple and fast. Dishes are placed on colored plates based on price: $2 yellow plates, $3.30 red plates, $4.50 black plates, and so on. At the end of your meal, the server adds your plates to calculate your total. Don’t be surprised if your plates stack a mile high!

Ordering to go? Order directly from Sushi Sakura’s website. The restaurant also takes online reservations.

4. Clean atmosphere.

When you’re dining at a place that serves fresh, raw fish, cleanliness is hugely important. Look for gleaming plates, cups, utensils, tables, and counter surfaces. And if you see an insect, leave.

The smooth, white surfaces and modern lighting give Sushi Sakura a clean, contemporary feel. And because of its deep commitment to quality, its staff makes sure to keep those modern surfaces spotless.

5. Knowledgeable staff.

The best sushi depends on not only the freshest fish, but an expert cut. Chefs need to know how and where to slice the fish for the best flavor and texture. They also have to know how to cook the rice to ensure it holds up to a hearty sushi roll.

As a kid, Zhu watched his chef-father polish his cooking techniques, perfect authentic recipes, and master food presentation. Meanwhile, his uncle, also an expert cook, taught young Eric the importance of every ingredient.

Zhu brings his family values to everything he creates. Each member of his five-person team has dedicated experience in recipe development (one new sushi recipe weekly), presentation and design, ingredients and food quality control, kitchen supervision, and customer experience. His team of experts ensures that the restaurant consistently delivers the finest sushi and traditional Japanese dishes.

6. Killer specials.

It’s rare to find anything for $2, much less quality sushi. For a late lunch or an early dinner, stop by Sushi Sakura, when it offers all sushi on the bar for $2.

If you prefer the menu, choose one of seven lunch combos for only $9. You’ll get 13 total pieces of sashimi, sushi, and California rolls—enough to keep you going all day.

Monday through Thursday, enjoy an Asahi, Kirin, or Sapporo beer or a glass of wine for only $4 a glass. That price beats most happy hour specials!

7. Kid friendliness.

The idea of eating raw fish grosses out a lot of kids. But if they get up their nerve to try a not-too-weird California roll, they might change their tune.

If there’s no hope for your kiddos and sushi, Sushi Sakura has a kid’s menu. Choose from “safe” options like chicken tenders, French fries, and fried shrimp.

Ready for a sushi night out? Visit Sushi Sakura at 1014 Wirt Road, Suite 263, Houston, or its new Katy location at 24711 Katy Freeway, Suite 500, just off I-10 near Cinemark 19.